A Prince of Peace for Bujumbura

What must it be like to fear for your life and those of your family members so much that you leave all that you know and all of your belongings in the dark of night to flee over 100 miles to foreign land? Those of us in North America can only imagine. However, this is a current reality for over 22,000 Burundian refugees fleeing political violence and threats in the capital city of Bujumbura and seeking refuge in Rwanda. The sitting President, Pierre Nkurunziza, has decided to seek re-election to a third term next month, sparking intense protests from many.

What?! No Facebook!?

Pro-government militia have responded to the protests with force, leading to increased violence and retaliation in the wake of the deaths of six protestors. As violence has ratcheted up, the government has responded by cutting mobile access to social media like Facebook, again unimaginable by North Americans, and prohibiting the broadcast of private radio stations. This void of information available to the public has only exacerbated the fears of many.

A Prince of Peace

While many around the world call for diplomatic solutions to these political problems, we know that Jesus Christ came as our Prince of Peace. While the Jews hoped for a Messiah who would bring about political change, peace and deliverance from their Roman occupiers in biblical times, we know that Christ came to set up a different Kingdom with a different throne with an eternal peace; a peace that surpasses all understanding. Will you join us as we pray for that Peace in Burundi; His kingdom come, His will be done, on earth as it is in heaven?